An unregistered gas engineer has been fined £2,000 with £1,196 costs after carrying out unlawful work on a boiler in Colchester.

Derek John Ringe, 64, serviced and repaired a domestic boiler at a property while not being recorded on the Gas Safe Register on two separate occasions in July 2013 and July 2014.

Colchester Magistrates Court heard Mr Ringe had a long career in the gas industry and worked as a self-employed gas engineer.

However, on 20 October 2012, he cancelled his registration with Gas Safe, rendering him legally unable to continue his work. He is now retired.

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Following the work in 2014, the homeowner checked Gas Safe Register and noted Mr Ringe was not listed.

He contacted Gas Safe, who visited the property and deemed the boiler 'at risk'.

The homeowner then contracted a third party to undertake the required remedial work on the boiler.

The firm deemed the boiler 'immediately dangerous' due to high carbon monoxide levels and the fact that the flue was not connected to the boiler.

Mr Ringe, of Stanela, Old School Lane, Elmstead pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3 (3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

HSE Inspector Jessica Donne said: "Gas Safe Registered engineers are subject to checks and assessments to ensure their work is carried out safely.

"By deliberately choosing to work while unregistered, Mr Ringe avoided these checks and may have put the lives of members of the public in their homes at risk."

(LM)